Miscellaneous items I found of interest during the week
Non-Europeans can now apply in advance for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and will need one to travel to the UK from January 2025.
“Eligible visitors should apply for their ETA through the UK ETA app, which is quick and simple to use and enables most applicants to receive a decision in hours.”
“An ETA costs £10, permits multiple journeys, and lasts for two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. Once granted, ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and allow for stays of up to six months at a time – including both short trips and more extended stays. An ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.”
Evaluating the Old Farmer’s Almanac’s Weather Forecasts
The Old Farmer’s Almanac states, “Our results are almost always very close to our traditional claim of 80 percent (accurate)”. As some studies have found, are the predictions no better than random chance?
For November for Southern Quebec, which includes Ottawa, the OFA predicted “Temp. 3C (2C above avg.); precip.100mm (15mm above avg.)”
The average employed is the 1981 to 2010 climate normal.
This November, the mean temperature was about 3.8C, compared to 1C average, right on the money for the OFA prediction – SUCCESS
The total precipitation was 52.1 mm, compared to 85 mm average, only half that predicted by the OFA – FAIL
The OFA gave November forecasts for six periods.
The prediction for 19-21 was “Rainy, quite warm”, and the 21st was the day with the most rain – 20.9 mm. SUCCESS.
The Young Canada Works 2025-2026 campaign has launched!
Kenneth Marks updated his listing of Ontario newspapers at The Ancestor Hunt in November.
Media Finally Reports that Many Canadians Oppose NATO
Thanks to this week’s contributors: Ann Burns, Anonymous, Barbara Tose, Brenda Turner, Chad, Lolly Fullerton, Penny Allen, Teresa, Unknown.
